Powder-distributer.



No. 840,141. PATENTBD JAN. 1, 1907.

0. H. LEGGETT.

POWDER DISTR'IBUTER. APPLICATION IILED JULY 31, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR:

WTNESSESI 0. H. 'LE'GGETT.

POWDER DISTRIBUTER. ABPLIOATIOR FILED JULY 31, 1906.

WITNESSES:

PATENTED JAN. 1, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR 1) I Afro/7213 5,

CLINTON H. LEGGETT, OF NEW YORK, N.. Y.

POWDER-DISTPI'BUTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1, 1807.

Application filed July 31,1906. Serial No. 328,507-

To all whom; it may concern;

Be it known that I, CLINTON H. LEGGETT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Powder- Distributers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to powder-distributers of the general type illustrated in my application, Serial No. 265,799, filed June 17, 1905. In that application I have described and claimed an insecticide-distributer designed to simultaneously deliver the powder or other insecticide to a plurality of rows of plants, the distributing mechanism being carried upon a suitable vehicle adapted to be propelled by ahorse or other animal or in any other convenient manner. The type of vehicle illustrated in that application and that which is ordinarily employed is a twowheeled cart of special construction provided with means for connecting the'axle to the distributer proper. It occasionallyhappens that a customer already has a. vehicle which might be adaptedfor use in this connection; and it is the principal object of my present invention tov provide a distributing mechanism proper which canbe set up and used with such a vehicle, so as to avoid the necessity of purchasing a special cart designed for this purpose. To this end I provide a powder-distributer proper which is ..adapted to be applied to an' ordinary cart or wagon and which is capable of performing all of the functions required in this type 'of distributer.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the preferredform of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an elevation of a modification.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, let A indicate a vehicle of any common form, that shown being a farm-cart of the usual type. The powder-forcing mechanism B comprises a reservoir a and a fan I), adapted to force a current of air through the passage 0, such current carrying with it the owder, which is dropped fromthe bottom 0 the reservoir a- This general type of distributeris illustrated in my aforesaid applicatiornto which reference is made for a detailed description thereof. 0 indicates the distributing mechanism, which is connected to the pipe (1 at the end of the passage 0, as best seen in Fig. 2,

and comprises a series of tubes or pipes e e,

which are connected by flexible pipes f f to a distributing-nozzle g, provided with branches corresponding in number to the deliverypipes 6. Each of the distributing-pipes is preferably provided with some form of de-. livery-nozzle h h for spreading the insecticide over the plants.

According to my invention -I form the powder forcing mechanism and distributing mechanismas separable from the cart and preferably from each other, by preference so mounting each of such mechanisms that it may be conveniently transported and applied to the cart and operated by the 'user. My invention also provides certain improvements in the construction of such mechanisms, which will be hereinafter described in detail.

Referring first to the powder-forcing mechanism, 1' referably mount the reservoir a and the an I) and the means for oper ating it upon a base-board 3', such base-board being adapted to bemounted either directly upon the floor of the cart or upon crosspieces 7c 7c, as shown in Fig. 1. I preferably provide a framework Z, which surrounds the powder-forcing mechanism and by-means of which it is connected to the baseboard. By

this construction such mechanism can be easily applied to or removed from the ordinary cart. My invention provides an important improvement in this type of mechanism be operated by the driver while facing forward in the cart. By thismeans a single person can guide the horse or other animal and at the same time operate the distributer. I preferably so construct the frame Z as to provide a seat, such as m, upon which the driver may sit, and forwardly of such seat I arrange the operating mechanism D within convenient reach of the driver. Such oper ating mechanism may be of any suitable construction, that shown comprising a large gear n, designed to be driven by a counterweighted handle 0 and meshing with a pinion p, which is connected to' a pulley QI, belted to a pulley 1' upon the shaft of the fan I). At the opposite end of the shaft 8, upon which the of the recesses 'drivers seat.

gear n is mounted, I fix a crank-arm t, which is connected to one arm of abell-crank lever a by a rod 1), the other arm of such lever being connected by a rod to to a crank-arm :c, carv ried u on. the agitator-she t.

The agaitator may be of any suitable constr tion-as, for instance, that shown in my aforesaid application. The proportions of the parts are such that as the crank it is rotated the crank-arm 0c is oscillated, thereby producing a to-and-fromovement of the agitator. The operating mechanism is mounted upon a frame a,.suit ably connected to the base-board j.

The fan-shaft bis preferably mounted in bearings formed in two uprights-c c, which are formed on their interiors-with pockets or recesses d (1, designed to receive oil or other' shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1this forming.

no part of my present invention, which is directed to a means for operating the valve from a point which is convenient to the driver, and preferably directly in front of the I mount the adjusting-nut or other suitable adjusting means it upon a block 11, fixed'to the front part of the framework Z, and connect such adjusting-nut with thereservoir valve or gate by a rod yr. The upper part of the fan-casing, however, extends directly between the'adjusting-nut and "the valve, and I therefore provide the rod j with a frame or yokezlc, which surrounds the fan-casing, such yoke being preferably held in guides Z l, as shown in Fig. 1. A modified construction is shown in Fig. 4,. wherein the yoke is! instead of passing. aroundthe sides 0f. thefan-casing passes over the top thereof, asshown at 10 ,2. suitableguide Z being. provided at the: top of the casing.

In order-to aifordconvenient access to the reservoir a, so that the latter may be cleaned orinspeoted, It-provide an enlarged o ening m in; ,its.side,'such opening being pre erably closed :by a screw-cap n. When thewcap is removed, the agitating mechanism may be.' inspected or repaired without the necessity ofldismounting the reservoir. A similar but smaller-opening 0, closed by a cap p, is preferably provided below the agitator, asshown in Fig. 1. Such opening is of service in freeing the passage 0 in case it should become clogged The distributing mechanism C is.prefer-.

[ ably so mounted that it may be disconnected from the powder-forcing mechanism for purposes of shipment and connected thereto when the device is set up for use. Such mechanism is preferably mounted upon a base-board g, which is' adapted to extend transversely of the cart, as shown, such base-board being bolted to the base-board j of the powder-forcing mechanism, so that it may be easily attached thereto and detached therefrom. The base-board g is adapted to carry the whole or the greater part of the distributing mechanism, so that the latter, with the powder-forcing mechanism, may be compactly crated or boxed for shipment. Such distributing mechanism is preferably provided with means for adjusting the distributing-pipes laterally to suit the device for differently-spaced rows and for raising and lowering the distributingpipes as a whole. This mechanism includes several novel features which are applicable to distributers of othertypes.

The meansfor adjusting the series of pipes as a whole preferably comprises a tilting support 12 having two. sections 79 b, Fig. 2, each of which is hinged to the base 9. The sections 6. b are connected together by a metal strip 0 fixed to the rear of the two sections, thegpartsbeing strengthened by angle-irons 11 d riveted to the strip c and secured by screws or otherwise to the sections 6 1). member 5 is thus made in two sections, so that it may be tilted without interfering with the distributing-nozzle g. The tilting member I) may be arranged so that it extends backwardly beyond the base-board g insteadof forwardly over such board, as shown. I prefer the construction illustrated, however, for the reason that it enables the base-board q to be placed forwardlyupon the cart'beyond itstail, sothat no particular care need be exercised in adjusting the device upon the cart. For the purpose of adjusting the member b so as to vary the height of the delivery nozzles above the ground I provide a lever f which is fixed at one end. to the-member b i and is preferably formed as a-continuationi of theangle-piece d ,as shown in Fig. 2. Theleve f? is extended forwardly to a point The within easy reach of thedriver, being prefere ably provided with a handle-piece f so that it may be more conveniently operated. ,To

' hold the lever f and hence the distributingpipes, in adjusted positions, I provide an arm 9 fixed to a block 9 which may be fastened to the base-board g or to the baseboard as desired. The arm is provided with a-se ries of holes into which a pin carried by the lever may enter.

1 By my invention I provide means for indie vidually adjusting the distributing-pi es e transverselyof the device, such means eingoperable from the cart while in motion. I preferably also utilize,the same means to support the distributing-pipes in their several osition's. Such means preferably comprise evers'h k k 725-, all of whichare pivoted to the tilting member 17 The two inner levers h h are formed ofstraightrods ofiron or wood plvoted at their middles and at their outer ends extending beneath-the middle distributing-pipes. ,Each of the levers is connected to the pipe by a strap i such straps fitting the pipes loosely, so as to slide along the latter as the. levers are turned. The two outer levers h k are mounted upon blocks 3' 3' which are pivoted to the tilting member b this construction being adopted to elevate the outer pipes, so as to provide a space beneath them for the levers k h". The levers k it instead of being made straight, as are the inner levers, have their ends bent out-- that the distributing-pipes may be adjusted from the driver s seat or'while the vehicle is in motion, thus accommodating the device to any change in the s acing of therows. A further important advantage is that all of the distributing-pipes may be brought within the width ofthe cart, so as to avoid accidents in passing through gateways or other restricted places. I

It will be observed that by reason of my invention 1- am enabled to avoid the use of a special cart, although my invention is ca.-'

vpable of use therewith, if desired, also that I provide a mechanis which may be manually operated by a single person while driving the horse .or otherwise guiding the vehicle. It will also be seen that the entire mechanism is extremely simple and economical in its nature and is at the same time very efficient in use.

Although I have described in detail the preferred constructionof my device, it will 7 therein without departing from the inven e understoodthat I do not wish to be limited thereto, as various changes may be made tion. It will also be understood that while I have described my invention with reference to a device for distributin powder it'isalso applicable to devices for 'stributing liquid insecticide.

-I claim as my invention- -1. In an insecticide-distributer,' the. combination of a powder-forcing means and a powder-distributing 'means, such distributmg means including a series of distributingpipes andfiieans for adjusting them laterally, such forcing and distributing means being adapted to be detachably connected, means for supporting such powder-forcing means,

and means for supporting such distributing means, the respective supporting means being separable, so that such powder forcing and distributing means may be separately mounted and dismounted.

2. In an insecticide-distributer, the combination of a powder-forcing means and a powder-distributing means, such distributing means including a series ofdistributingpipes and means for adjusting them laterally, such forcing and distributing means being adapted'to be detachably connected, and a separate base for each of such means adapted to permit it to be separately mounted and dismounted. I

3. In an insecticide-distributer, the combination of a powder-forcing means and a powder-distributing means, such powderforcing means including a fan, a reservoir, an agitator, and means for actuating such fan and agitator, and such distributing means including a series of distributingpipes, and means for adjusting them laterally and vertically, and separate supporting devices for such powder forcing and distributing means adapted to permit them to be independently mounted.

4. In an insecticide-distributer, the combination of a powder-forcingmeans and a powder-distributing means, such powderforcing means including a fan, a reservoir,

an agitator, and means for actuating such fan and agitator, and such distributing means including a series of distributingpipes, means for vertically adjusting such plpes collectively, means for individually adjusting them laterally, and separate sup ort- -ing devicesfor such powder forcing an disa lever for tilting said hinged member, fixed thereto, and means for connecting such base to a vehicle. 1

6. In an insectlcide-distributer, a vehicle,

a series of distributing-pipes thereon, and a series of levers, each connected to .a single distributing-pipe, whereby each pipe may be individually adjusted, said levers extending forwardly so as to be operable from the body of the vehicle.

p 7. In an insecticide-distributor, a vehicle,

a series of distributing-pipes thereon, and a series of levers, each connected to a distributing-pipe, said levers extendin forwardly so as to be operable from the b0 y of the vehicle, and one of said levers having a portion extended angularly in a lateral direction, so as to avoid contact with other portions of the device.

8. In an-insecticide-distributer, a vehicle,

a distributing-pipe, a lever adapted to move l distributing mechanism having a fan, a seat such distributin -pipe, a second distributing-pipe, and a Iever adapted to move the latter, such lever being arranged at a higher level than the first lever whereby to avoid in terference between the two.

9. In an insecticide-distributer, a baseboard, a tilting member hinged to said board and extending over the same, a lever for moving such member, a series of distributing-pipes, and means upon such member for supporting such pipes.

-10. In an insecticide-distributer, a baseboard, a tilting member hinged to said board and extending over the same, a lever for moving such member, a series of dis.trib' uting-pipes, and levers mounted upon such member for supporting such pipes.

11. In an insecticide-distributer, the combination with a vehicle having a seat, of an insecticide-distributing mechanism mounted upon said vehicle, and means for manually actuating said mechanism arranged close to said seat so as to be operated by the operator While facing forwardlytherein. v

12. In an insecticide-distributer, the combination with a vehicle, of an insecticide distributing mechanism, means for manually actuating said mechanism, and a seat adapted to be straddled by the operator arranged at rear of said means and close to the latter,

so that such means may be operated by the operator whilefa'cing forwardly in said seat.

13. In an insecticide-distributer, the combination with a vehicle, of an insecticide-' extended over such fan, and an operating mechanism operable from such seat.

14. In an insecticide-distributer, the combination with a vehicle having a seat, of an insecticide-distributing mechanism, and means for manually actuating said mechanism arranged in front of said seat and within reach of the operator.

15. In an insecticide-distributer, the com-.

bination of a reservoir, a fan, and an adjusting means for regulating the passage of insecticide from such reservoir, suchadjusting means having a portion extending around said fan.

16. In an insecticide-distributer, the combination .of an insecticide-forcing mechanism, a distributing mechanism, and separate means for mounting such mechanisms, such means being adaptedto be detachably connected.

17. In an insecticide-distributer, the combination of an-insecticide-forcing mechanism, a distributing mechanism, a frame for said forcing mechanism and a base for said distributing mechanism, said insecticide forcing and distributing mechanisms being detachably connected.

In witness whereofI have hereunto signed -my name in the presence of twosubscribing Witnesses. i CLINTON H. LEGGETT.

Witnesses:

EUGENE MYERS, FREn WHITE. 

